Universality, Multilateralism and Many-Lateralism

摘要

Does the changing nature of the international order in the 21~(st) century influence the nature and forms of multilateralism? And if yes, how does it impact the United Nations, an institution at the apex of the multilateral process, but which in some crucial respects still reflects the international order of the mid-twentieth century? This is the question that this paper attempts to explore. The approach adopted is that of a practitioner of diplomacy (which this writer is); of an observer of international relations as conducted today; and not of that of a practitioner of international law or a scholar. Hence the focus is not on definitional exactitude, legal analysis, historical narrative or textual references. The term 'multilateral' itself is used here in a non-specific manner and can denote organisations, agreements, groupings or even loosely structured arrangements that bring nations together. This is so since the attempt here is to discern emerging trends, and to draw inferences from them rather than to examine existing structures. Stated in another way, the issue being looked at is: from a practitioner's perspective, are there today, more than ever before, multiple forms and forums for transaction of 'business' between states, and if so how do they relate to the United Nations, seen as the most universal and comprehensive institutional svstem for conduct between nations.